WBL January 2024 Newsletter

Exciting News 📰:

We are thrilled to announce that we are beginning to plan for WBL summer internships, 2024! If you are an existing business partner or would like to join us as a new business partner, click the button below to sign up to host interns this coming summer. More communication about WBL summer internships, 2024 to follow.

Students at The Academy for Technology and the Classics (ATC) will join in the WBL program this summer and next school year! WBL staff are working with ATC to integrate the intern program into its offerings.

"ATC is excited to implement work-based learning opportunities for our students that will expand their college and post-secondary career options," said ATC principal Jason Morgan.

Superintendent Hilario "Larry" Chavez said, "The support of our work-based learning partners in providing our students with a vision for tomorrow is deeply impactful. This work fully aligns our focus on college and career readiness by bringing the classroom into the community. When you give students the opportunity to explore and contribute to the world around them, wonderful things happen, including starting them down the path to lifelong success. This far-reaching program is one that will continue to grow in our community and will no doubt result in workplace vitality across the board," said. He added, "We want to thank all our partners from the business sector and the city of Santa Fe. Without them at the table these opportunities would not be possible."

Deputy Superintendent Vanessa Romero said, "Expanding Work-Based Learning (WBL) opportunities to serve ATC will greatly benefit students by providing them with valuable real-world experience and skills. This partnership further demonstrates our commitment to prioritizing student growth and development."

Each month, we spotlight different employers and their interns.

Asael has learned a lot since he first accepted an internship at BSN back in June of 2023. "I’m learning how to communicate effectively with coworkers and customers. I'm also learning the basics of civil engineering, architecture, and surveying which allows me to get a better understanding of what it takes to be successful in any of these professions." Asael says that the encouragement and support of his coworkers has sparked his interest in Civil Engineering. He's grateful to be included and treated like every other co-worker at BSN. "The most unexpected aspect of my internship is how much involvement I am given. Getting the chance to have my name included on jobs is awesome."

Gisella is back for her second WBL internship, this time with Northern NM Gastroenterology Services where she has been working since October '23. Gisella has learned to build patient charts and communicate with patients who often have urgent health issues. "It's my responsibility to stay composed and calm during conversations with patients, making sure I assist them and provide the support they need." Gisella enjoys the level of responsibility she is given at work, saying she was "pleasantly surprised by the level of trust placed in me." She was welcomed by the staff and continues to enjoy these new relationships, describing the office as a "familial atmosphere where everyone supports each other." Gisella also has experience working in restaurants, high-end hospitality, and babysitting. Gisella has a great work ethic and is disciplined with her finances. She saved enough to buy her own car in November and is now saving money for college.

Ava is one of our newest interns and is starting her internship at Northern New Mexico Gastroenterology this month. Ava chose this position because she plans to pursue a career in the medical field. "After high school I will be attending The University of New Mexico where I hope to major and get a degree in either health science or diagnostic medical sonography. As of right now, I want to be an ultrasound tech. In order for me to do so, I think it’s important to gain knowledge and experience in working at a medical office or facility" Ava looks forward to learning how to interact with patients, build and read patient charts, and learn medical terminology during her time at New Mexico Gastroenterology.

Nicolas works hard bussing tables and assisting waitstaff at La Plazuela at the La Fonda Hotel. He says he is learning communication and teamwork skills at his internship, and he's also developed tools to help him stay upbeat throughout his shifts. He gets to meet lots of interesting and kind people at work. "One family was really nice to me because their son had also been a busser so they wanted to make me feel important and let me know they cared about me." In addition to great people, there is delicious food. "My favorite thing on the menu would have to be the brioche French toast for breakfast or the green chile cheeseburger that we serve for lunch."

Josh is enjoying his internship working at La Fiesta Lounge at the La Fonda. His work includes bussing tables, folding silverware, and bringing restaurant guests food and drinks. Josh says he's learned a lot about teamwork at La Fonda, and he's also learning how to socialize and talk to restaurant guests. "I've met all kinds of people - locals and people who are traveling. I met one lady travelling through New Mexico who was making her way through all 50 states." Josh enjoys watching people dance to the live music featured throughout the week at La Fiesta. He says his work has given him a new understanding of his community; he sees and talks to lots of different types of people at work. He likes this social aspect of working in hospitality and "seeing what's going on in the back." Josh's goals are to grow and improve at his job and to get smart with his money.

Prior to his internship at Bishop's Lodge, Kevin worked at Fusion Tacos. "I loved it, and I’m glad I got to move on to new and greater opportunities." Kevin enjoys working with people and says the team at Bishop's Lodge is the best thing about his internship. He also feels he's learned a lot at Bishop's Lodge. "I believe this job has helped me get an understanding of the hospitality industry. I truly continue to learn of new ways to excel in hospitality." Kevin likes that there is always something interesting happening at Bishop's Lodge. One night, he saw a "mysterious light" pass through the sky about the lodge. "It was truly something amazing and it could have only been seen from that view on top of the beautiful Bishop's Lodge." Kevin says he's saving "every penny" and helping out his mother. He's grateful to earn money while he learns.

Tenzin is an intern with the Adventures Team at Bishop's Lodge. She helps facilitate activities with guests such as making snow sculptures and leading children's art projects. "I enjoy the hiking experiences we do every Sunday morning. The view of the Jemez mountains is very beautiful and it's a great way to start of my day at work." Tenzin is also learning valuable communication skills in her internship. She says she's learning not to be shy, but rather to visit with guests and initiate conversations. Prior to her internship at Bishop's Lodge, Tenzin Dawoe worked at a bookstore and helped package goods. She plans to go to college, and is saving money she's earning to help pay her way.

Dylan's favorite thing about his internship at Bishop's Lodge is how friendly his coworkers are. Dylan says his people skills and ease in talking to hotel guests have grown and continue to improve the longer he works at Bishop's Lodge. Dylan has had the opportunity to learn many new skills in his internship including taking room service orders, managing guest reservations, greeting guests as they arrive, and answering the phones. Sometimes he has the opportunity to help guests in unexpected ways. "One guest had a suitcase with a lock on it and they forgot the password. I stayed in the back trying all the passcodes so we wouldn't have to break it in order to open it."

Thank you, business partners, for welcoming the WBL staff into your workplace and allowing us the opportunity to visit our interns at work. Site visits give the WBL staff a better understanding of each intern's work environment and enables us to better support our interns throughout their internship. Michelle, our own WBL intern, accompanies us on our visits and photographs interns while they work.

Who's ready for golf? 🖐️ SFPS’ annual golf tournament is now open for team registration and sponsorship! This year the tournament will be at Towa Golf Club on May 4th, 2024. For more information on tournament registration or sponsorship please visit the 3rd Annual SFPS Golf Tournament Website or contact Ruth Perez, SFPS Event and Engagement Specialist at ruthperez@sfps.k12.nm.us.

Tammy teaches Computer Technology and Work-Based Learning/ACE at Capital High. She joined the WBL program this year, and fully believes in its potential. "As a high school Deca student I was exposed to the world of work in my Junior year. I love getting students to explore the world of work before they graduate. It is an invaluable experience."

Marquita has deep roots in our community. She is a former Capital High student and has had many roles as an educator in SFPS. "I am very grateful to be a part of the WBL program, which is beyond innovative, engaging, and dynamic. Being able to work closely with students in this unique setting brings a whole other perspective to teaching and learning. WBL takes education to another level while raising the bar with real world applications of our students’ education, talents, interests, and grit. I’ve observed our kiddos being able to shine bright while reaching and exceeding their potential. They are gaining skills and tools that create abundant opportunities and enhance the high school experience."

Linda has been an educator for 24 years. She has served our students as an administrator, a classroom teacher, and special education teacher. She has been a part of the WBL team since 2022. "I love the WBL program because it provides students opportunities to make informed choices about their long-term career interests through authentic learning experiences in a real-world environment."

Michelle has been in education for over 16 years and has two children of her own in Santa Fe Public Schools. "WBL provides young people an opportunity to learn what they are good at and discover what they love to do. Our interns are contributing to and gaining a better understanding of our community. Every day, interns stop by or text me about their accomplishments on the job. It's an honor to be a part of this program. WBL provides these young people a bridge into the adult world, helping to insure their success and make our community stronger."

Jose is a native New Mexican, and is passionate about creating life-changing opportunities for our New Mexican youth. "Work-based learning creates a shift in the traditional education paradigm by providing opportunities to students for practical hands-on learning in the workforce. Any student who decides to join our program has an opportunity to earn their internship and prove their talents to the world, and that is both powerful and life changing."

Work-based learning (WBL) is a structured internship program that collaboratively engages local high-value employers and SFPS high schools offering junior and senior high school students quality internship, job-shadow and mentorship experiences. Our program is currently active in 4 public high schools: Capital High, Santa Fe High, Early College Opportunities, & Desert Sage Academy.

WBL interns are paid ($14.03/hr) by a grant with the City of Santa Fe, and interns earn an elective credit for completing their internship. Student interns are covered with Workers Compensation Insurance and Student Blanket Accident Insurance. Students participate in a "bootcamp" preparing them for their interviews and employment, and they maintain close contact with their WBL teacher throughout their internship. We help them get the job and also support them in succeeding & growing at their job.

Our program is growing! This WBL program started in Summer 2022 with 4 business partners & 22 student interns. For the 22/23 school year, we had 14 business partners & 35 interns. In the summer of 2023, we had 35 business partners & 100 interns. For the 23/24 school year, we have 40+ business partners & 75 student interns. We plan to have 150 interns this summer, and our list of business partners continues to grow every month.